Ruins of a fortified settlement north of the village Gratini in Rhodope that have been identified with the Late-Byzantine city-fortress Gratianoupolis.

History

Gratianou or Gratzianou or Gratianoupolis has been an important city of the region in the 13th and 14th century. We know nothing about it before this period. It is mentioned for the first time by the Byzantine historian Akropolitis. It was one of the byzantine cities retaken in 1224 from the Franks by the Despot of Epirus Theodoros Doukas Komnenos.

Probably t was one of the 15 castles that the protostrator Glavas rebuilt in Thrace in 1304-1305.

In the first half of the 14th century, as a result of the destruction of Mosynoupolis in 1206, Gratianoupolis became the most important city of Rhodope. It is mentioned in several episodes of the Byzantine civil wars of the 14th century. In 1344, it was captured by Ioannis Kantakouzenos with the help of the prisoners inside the fortress. Kantakouzenos, who as an usurper-emperor, gave the city to his son Matthew who became the governor of the region seated in Gratianoupolis.

Matthew Kantakouzenos remained there with his family until 1355 when the city was besieged by Ioannis V Paleologus who had returned on the throne. The city was surrendered. Matthew after some adventures sought refuge in Peloponnese and ended his life as the Despot of Mystras.

Gratianoupolis was captured by the Ottomans in 1361 or 1363.

Structure, Fortification & Buildings

Parts of the walls remain from the castle at a max height of 4m. Also a cylindrical tower is preserved in bad condition.

The max length of the fortification (north to south) is more that 80m. No other buildings remain except form one big cistern at the western side, next to a relatively modern chapel.